Idonije pounds it out

August 12, 2009|By From news services

BOURBONNAIS — Israel Idonije shed 40 pounds this off-season because he figured he would be part of the defensive end rotation. But the 6-foot-6-inch, 266-pound veteran continues to work exclusively at defensive tackle with Tommie Harris recovering from knee surgery.

To Idonije, the weight loss wasn't all for naught.

"I didn't lose a lot of my lean mass," he said. "I was 248 pounds lean mass at 306 pounds. At 266 pounds, I'm 241 lean mass. So with my muscle mass, I haven't lost too much. I feel good at defensive tackle."

It is unclear how long Idonije will remain with the first-team defense at the position. Harris, whose slow progress in training camp is related to his knee and not a hamstring, wants to play in Saturday's exhibition opener at Buffalo. If Harris is out, Idonije is sure to line up with the starters, with rookie Jarron Gilbert the next option.

Idonije pointed out that most of his reps last season came at defensive tackle, with only five snaps at defensive end.

"I'm comfortable at tackle," he said. "I feel good in my hips, knees and ankles with that weight loss."